BGSU Bound For Battle Of I-75, Orange Wave Friday Night

Friday, February 23

Bowling Green, Ohio

7 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

Toledo

Photo by: Daniel Carlson, BGSU Athletics

February 22, 2024 | Men's Basketball

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Bowling Green, Toledo Set For 7 p.m. Tip On ESPNU

By: by Kyle Edmond, BGSU Athletics

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University men's basketball team will host the second edition of this year's Battle of I-75 on Friday (Feb. 23). The Falcons and Rockets are set for a 7 p.m. tip at the Stroh Center with the game being broadcasted on ESPNU. There will also be a radio stream available through WFRO Eagle 99.

Opening Tip
The Falcons and Rockets will be playing for the 182nd time in program history and second time this season. Toledo holds the all-time series advantage, 98-83, but BGSU has the edge when hosting, 50-31. The game will be Bowling Green's first time hosting a nationally televised game since Feb. 9, 2021 when BGSU hosted Kent State on CBS Sports Network (L, 71-67).

At The Game
The game between BGSU and Toledo will be the Orange Wave. Fans are encouraged to wear orange to the game.

A Bowling Green Win Would…

Split the season series between Bowling Green and Toledo.
Snap a three-game losing streak for the Falcons.
Mark the first win for the Falcons over Toledo since Feb. 13, 2021(W, 88-81).
Be BGSU's first home win over Toledo since Feb. 8, 2020 (W, 85-83).
End Toledo's winning streak against BGSU at five straight, one shy of the longest streak in series history.

Scouting The Rockets
Toledo is coming off a win over Akron to not only clinch a spot in the MAC Tournament, but move into a tie with the Zips atop the MAC standings. The Rockets have won three of their last four with the only loss coming in double overtime to Appalachian State. As a team, Toledo has four players averaging double-digit points, led by Ra'Heim Moss' 16.3 points per game. Danie Maddox Jr. follows with 15.6 while Tyler Cochran (13.7) and Javan Simmons (12.8) round out the list.

BGSU v. Toledo, A History
The matchup between BGSU and Toledo will mark the 182nd meeting all-time between the two teams, the longest rivalry in program history. Toledo leads the all-time series, 98-83, but the Falcons have the advantage when hosting with a record of 50-31. In the first matchup, all five Bowling Green starters reached double-digit points led by Marcus Hill's 25. Hill was joined by Da'Shawn Phillip's 13, 12 from both Trey Thomas and Jason Spurgin and 10 from Rashaun Agee.

Agee, Hill On Record Book Watch
Both Rashaun Agee and Marcus Hill are nearing the Top 10 in the record book for single-season stats. So far this season, Agee has tallied 244 rebounds for the Falcons and needs 55 more to enter the record book. He needs to reach 299 to break into the Top 10 all-time for rebounds in a single-season, trailing Rex Leach's 1956-57 campaign. As for Hill, he has 551 points this year and needs 600 to enter a three-way tie for ninth all-time, 601 for eighth and 604 for seventh. He is currently 49 points away from the list.

Spurgin Eyes 1,000-Point Club
Jason Spurgin is closing in on reaching 1,000 career points, currently with 952. Spurgin needs just 48 to join the club and is currently averaging 10.8 points per game with six games left in the regular season. With Bowling Green, Spurgin has tallied 280 points this season. Before BGSU, he recorded 672 points over three seasons with Southern Utah.

National TV Spotlight
The Falcons have two games coming up on national TV. BGSU will host Toledo on Friday (Feb. 23) on ESPNU before facing off with Ohio on March 1 on CBS Sports Network. The two games bring BGSU's national TV total to three games this season, the most nationally televised games for Bowling Green in a season since having four during the 2020-21 campaign. The first national TV game for BGSU this season was on the road against Akron on CBSSN.

Working Overtime
The Falcons went to double overtime with Central Michigan on Feb. 3, the first double overtime game for BGSU since the 2016-17 campaign. It was one day shy of the seven-year anniversary, topping Toledo 104-100 on Feb. 4, 2017 in double overtime. Going to overtime against CMU for the second time this season, BGSU has now played four overtime games this season. It is the most overtime games in a season for the Falcons since 2017-18 when they had five games go to overtime.

Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons' men's basketball team on social media
Twitter - @BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUMBB
Instagram - 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsumhoops'
Facebook - 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube - 'Falcon Athletics'